text: Polymerization of epoxides gives polyethers. For example ethylene oxide polymerizes to give polyethylene glycol, also known as polyethylene oxide. The reaction of an alcohol or a phenol with ethylene oxide, ethoxylation, is widely used to produce surfactants:
  :ROH  +  n CHO   →   R(OCH)OH
  With anhydrides, epoxides give polyesters.